I’m concerned about a child or young person
- Speak to your manager or safeguarding lead
- Record the outcome of any discussion about the child’s welfare and any action to be taken
- If you’re still concerned seek consent of the family and child to complete an Early Help Assessment
- If the assessment highlights that the child needs more support convene a change meeting with the necessary agencies, with the purpose of providing services to improve outcomes for the child/family
- If the assessment highlights that the child may be suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm refer them to Children’s Social Care
- In both circumstances discuss your concerns with the family and seek their agreement to make a referral to Children’s Social Care, unless doing so will increase the risk to the child
- If the child is already known to Children’s Social Care you should still discuss your concerns with them.
For more information visit the Thresholds of Need page.
In an emergency
If you feel they or anyone else is in immediate harm or in need of emergency medical attention call the emergency services on 999.
Making a referral
- If you’re worried about a child or young person report your concerns by completing the online professional referral form
- If you are working with a child or young person that already has a fully completed Early Help Assessment (formerly a CAF) remember to attach it to the referral
- Be sure to complete all the basic information required and give as much detail as you can. The more information you provide the quicker we will be able to safeguard the child and help the family.
I’m concerned about a person who works with children and young people
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) works within Wigan Council and should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
- Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child
- Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children.
The LADO role applies to paid, unpaid, volunteer, casual, agency and self-employed workers. They capture concerns, allegations or offences emanating from outside of work.
The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case. They will provide advice, guidance and help to determine whether the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures.
The LADO helps co-ordinate information sharing with the right people and will also monitor and track any investigation, with the aim to resolve it as quickly as possible.
Professional disagreements and escalation policy
- Multi-agency working can often lead to clashes in culture and working practices that can cause conflict and undermine safeguarding efforts
- Professional disagreements if not resolved in a constructive fashion can potentially leave children and young people at serious risk of further harm
- Ensuring responsive safeguarding working practices depends on straightforward conflict resolution procedures.
The Greater Manchester Safeguarding Procedures contain the correct procedure for dealing with disagreements.